Players To Be Paid For Ryder Cup Participation

[Tim Martin]

I know there is a divergence of opinion on this subject so I’m wondering if there is a consensus in the discussion group? I read an interesting quote from Rory McIlroy saying he’d “pay for the privilege to play in the event.”

[John Handley]

I don't have an issue with the players getting paid.  The PGA is making a bunch of money on this and it's now like all of sports, entertainment. 


Now having said that, I think you see the difference in cultures and why the Ryder Cup is more regarded by the European side.  It just means more.

[Rob Marshall]

How could they charge $750 a day and not pay them? Back in the day I think it was a loser money wise but that was a long time ago. If all the profits went to charity it would be one thing…..

[Chris Hughes]

Seeing a number of $400K being reported...should be increased 4X to $1.6M, at a minimum, IMO.


Single day tix are $750 for the tourney days at the Black, absolutely absurd.

[Rob Marshall]

Seeing a number of $400K being reported...should be increased 4X to $1.6M, at a minimum, IMO.


Single day tix are $750 for the tourney days at the Black, absolutely absurd.

I was at the Ryder Cup at Oak Hill. You stand in the first fairway and watch the groups hit their 2nd shot. Then run 5 holes ahead and watch the groups hit one shot. Then run 5 holes ahead...... At the end of the day you see about 30 shots depending on format for $750 plus plus. Not sure you can even do that on the Black. The PGA of America has missed the mark. I think it was $250 in Rome. Supply and demand.....

[Mike_Clayton]

Are they paying the Americans - but not the Europeans?


Doesn't seem right if it's true.

[Marty Bonnar]

Perhaps they should only be paid if they discuss golf course architecture?

[cary lichtenstein]

Of course they should be paid

[Jeff Schley]

Charging $750 a day, is basically not a public event. It is like the Super Bowl, prices are not realistic for middle class people and forget those who are below that. That is a shame to me. Heck, what about all those 3rd assistant pros making below minimum wage at courses around the country for the hours they put in?  Shouldn't they be paid by the PGA as at least they are members? PGA food stamps or welfare?

[Tim Martin]

Are they paying the Americans - but not the Europeans?


Doesn't seem right if it's true.

Mike-The Europeans have said that they don’t want to be paid.

[Mike_Clayton]

Are they paying the Americans - but not the Europeans?


Doesn't seem right if it's true.

Mike-The Europeans have said that they don’t want to be paid.

Good for them - it's not as though any of them need the money.

[Ben Stephens]

Are they paying the Americans - but not the Europeans?


Doesn't seem right if it's true.

Mike-The Europeans have said that they don’t want to be paid.

Good for them - it's not as though any of them need the money.

Isn't the money allocated for the European Players given to charity? $200k was given at the last Ryder Cup.

[Thomas Dai]

If the Ryder Cup in its current format played at the recent type of locations never happened again would golf be better or worse? Just asking. Blue touch paper?
Atb

[Sean_A]

I don’t see what the issue is. In truth, it’s no business of others not involved.

Ciao

[Simon Barrington]

This relentless desire to be paid always seems to come from the modern day US Sides.

It misses the entire point of the "Matches" founding.

In fact in 1926 when the precursor to the event was played at Wentworth with Walter Hagen leading a strong US Team, the Americans were reported to be "Anxious to extend the side from four to 12 players and say that prize money is the least consideration"

Hagen & Samuel Ryder (who put up the Trophy) would be rolling in their graves.


The difference in sensibility from the current batch of US Players might be the very reason that the Europeans outperform their potential more often that the US.

Not saying the Europeans will or should always win, but that they get the best out of themselves precisely because the care about the collective sensibility and spirit of this special competition.

If money is to be given out let it flow directly to relevant Golfing Access Charities and PGA Benevolent Funds, not siphoned through US Players' (Tax Break) Foundations.

[Niall C]

I don’t see what the issue is. In truth, it’s no business of others not involved.

Ciao

Actually I'm not sure that's true. From a lot of punters perspective there is a difference between watching someone who's playing for the jersey or someone who's playing for money. I appreciate that a lot of these guys would quite happily continue without being paid but still there are others..........


Niall

[Jim_Coleman]

   These guys are professional golfers. They make a living playing golf. If the Ryder Cup were a charity event, that’s one thing. But it’s a for profit event. They’re not taking money from cancer victims.

[Joe_Tucholski]

   These guys are professional golfers. They make a living playing golf. If the Ryder Cup were a charity event, that’s one thing. But it’s a for profit event. They’re not taking money from cancer victims.

This is my opinion as well.  If someone is making money off of me I'm going to want a cut as well.  One of the reasons I'm not a fan of US college football and basketball.

[Tony_Muldoon]

How could they charge $750 a day and not pay them? Back in the day I think it was a loser money wise but that was a long time ago. If all the profits went to charity it would be one thing…..

I went to the K Club and Celtic Manor, and there was a real mix of Golf fans from various nations supporting.  For variuos reasons it now appeals less each time and not sure I saw anything from Italy.




If $750 seems like gouging, the players will want a bigger cut with each future increase.  Cat is out of the bag and it ain't going back in.


I used to block the weekend out in the calendar, but this seems like another reason why it's no longer special.

[Charlie Goerges]

I used to block the weekend out in the calendar, but this seems like another reason why it's no longer special.

I agree with this. The Ryder Cup's interest and relevance to me fades ever-further into the distance. I realize that opinion means nothing to a bunch of millionaires and that's fine. But it undermines the entire pyramid of competition that undergirds the top-level tours.

[Kalen Braley]

The masses want what they want, and there certainly seems to be no shortage of demand or people willing to spend big $$$ even if its just a meaningless exhibition. So pay em, don't pay em...who cares none of em are hurting for cash otherwise.

I put it in a similar category as the upcoming farcical Tyson/Paul fight.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Charging $750 a day, is basically not a public event. It is like the Super Bowl, prices are not realistic for middle class people and forget those who are below that. That is a shame to me. Heck, what about all those 3rd assistant pros making below minimum wage at courses around the country for the hours they put in?  Shouldn't they be paid by the PGA as at least they are members? PGA food stamps or welfare?

So should they have charged less, just so tickets could be bought up by those who would put them on the secondary market? That may still occur, but since they sold out… one could argue they didn't charge enough for the tickets.

These guys are professional golfers. They make a living playing golf. If the Ryder Cup were a charity event, that’s one thing. But it’s a for profit event. They’re not taking money from cancer victims.

Yep. I also don't see why they shouldn't be paid. They're professional golfers. They're paid to play golf.

[Jeff Schley]

Charging $750 a day, is basically not a public event. It is like the Super Bowl, prices are not realistic for middle class people and forget those who are below that. That is a shame to me. Heck, what about all those 3rd assistant pros making below minimum wage at courses around the country for the hours they put in?  Shouldn't they be paid by the PGA as at least they are members? PGA food stamps or welfare?

So should they have charged less, just so tickets could be bought up by those who would put them on the secondary market? That may still occur, but since they sold out… one could argue they didn't charge enough for the tickets.

These guys are professional golfers. They make a living playing golf. If the Ryder Cup were a charity event, that’s one thing. But it’s a for profit event. They’re not taking money from cancer victims.

Yep. I also don't see why they shouldn't be paid. They're professional golfers. They're paid to play golf.

Eric there are a myriad of ways to distribute tickets. Lottery, stand in line at XYZ golf courses, first tee giveaways for 1 child/adult. That is the way to level the playing field.  Heck, isn't grow the game in your mission statement even?  Therein lies why it is incumbent upon the PGA to not sell out their marquee event to the rich.

[John Blain]

Are they paying the Americans - but not the Europeans?


Doesn't seem right if it's true.

The Europeans said they don't care about getting paid. They would rather have that money go to the DP World Tour or even the Challenge Tour.

[Sean_A]

I don’t see what the issue is. In truth, it’s no business of others not involved.

Ciao

Actually I'm not sure that's true. From a lot of punters perspective there is a difference between watching someone who's playing for the jersey or someone who's playing for money. I appreciate that a lot of these guys would quite happily continue without being paid but still there are others..........


Niall

It’s your business if you want to invest time and money to watch the event. But it ain’t your business on how much players are paid.


Ciao